Each of us who knows Julian Bewick through rowing will have many personal memories of him, and will be aware of what he has achieved and stood for over the past quarter of a century. I was amazed to hear of three Old Monktonians from the same family and of successive generations who rowed in the same boat on OMs day this year. It is an understatement to say that Jules has meant a great deal to a great many Monktonians and Monktonian families over the years.

For the benefit of those reading this article who have not known Jules through rowing, here's a rough potted catalogue of his rowing past.

Jules started rowing at the age of 13 at Haileybury. Going up to Cambridge, he coxed and coached Caius for four years. He was elected Secretary of the Cambridge University Coxswains' Society, and beat the Oxford equivalent crew twice. He came to MCS in 1966 and coached successful Colts crews in 67/68 followed by an unstoppable 2nd VIII in 69. He took over Charles Grimwade's position of Master in charge of Rowing and 1st VIII coach in 1970, and thereafter was 1st VIII coach for 24 years. In those years, MCSBC 1st VIII beat Eton 1st VIII twice and won well over 60 trophies.

JMB was elected to membership of Leander during MCSBC's centenary year, which reflected both his standing in the rowing community and the reputation of the Boat Club under him. In 1974 Jules was elected as a member of Kitchin Society (which represented only the most distinguished rowing schools). Jules was also one of 100 rowing personalities to be awarded the ARA Centenary Medal for service to the sport.

However perhaps the greatest achievements have been pastoral. Many a sixth form renegade has found direction, enthusiasm and discipline through JMB's efforts, and a great many parents are indebted to him. There are some activities in schools that can be quantified easily with grades or marks or statistics. It's probably fair to say that other activities are not so easily assessed at face value. You may have to look beyond fixed quantitative measures of success or achievement, to see the real benefits gained by those participating, and to understand the activity's real worth.

For 25 years JMB has been pretty much synonymous with MCSBC. In those 25 years many have come to understand, appreciate, and benefit from that worth. Those who received the benefit of being part of the Boat Club 25 years ago are still able to draw from that experience. Others are just starting to receive those benefits now, and will be able to gain from them throughout their future. Much if not all of this is thanks to Jules, who has been instrumental in building up and perpetuating a great institution at Monkton. Monkton is known and respected as a rowing school. It's one of the main and most colourful flags that Monkton flies.

On one of the 1st VIII tours some foreign onlookers thought that the nine boys following Jules around were his children. I'm not suggesting any indecency on Jules' part here, but those foreigners may not have been at all far off the mark. The care and devotion freely given by Jules to the Boat Club and its members for the last quarter of a century must, I'm almost certain, be unrivalled in any school in this country.

'Win without boasting, lose without excuse' was a phrase quoted by the Captain of Boats at the recent Boat Club Dinner. I think it's a fine watchword, and one which sums up Jules' philosophy well.